I watched as much of the game as I could stomach, but after it was 28-12, I had to turn it off before I became ill.

Before the season started, my main concern was quarterback, and after Chad Henne's performance, it remains a concern.

However, like one of my readers pointed out, the biggest problem is the running game, or lack of. Against Notre Dame, the Michigan backs were able to muster just 56 yards.

Let's face it, we all knew it was going to be hard to replace Chris Perry, but this is getting out of hand.

Right now the tailback position is a revolving door, just waiting for someone to claim it. David Underwood was tabbed the starter at the beginning of the season, but that hasn't worked.

Underwood is a little dinged for Saturday's game with San Diego State, and if he can't go, sophomore Jerome Jackson, junior Pierre Rembert, and freshman Mike Hart might all get time.

If the Wolverines don't figure out something quick, we could be talking about the team fighting just to play in a New Year's Day bowl.

The Lions win comes with a price…

…On Sunday, the Lions ended their NFL record 24-game road losing streak, but it came with a heavy price.

Early in the game, last year's No. 2 overall pick Charles Rogers was lost for the season with a broken collarbone.

It was the same collarbone which cost him his last 11 games last season. We still don't know how good Rogers can be, and at this rate, we may never know.

Also lost in the win, was the heart-and-soul of the Lions' defense, cornerback Dre' Bly. Bly injured his knee breaking up a pass.

It's being called a sprained ligament, and he's expected to miss a week or two.

Other than the injuries, it was a huge game for the young team, that desperately need to build some confidence. At times, Joey Harrington looked like a third-year QB who is finally starting to understand the offense.

At other times, he looked like the same old Joey, but those times were fewer than years past.

The win on the road was the first since the Clinton Administration.

"Its a good feeling - this win was so important to our football team, said Lions coach Steve Mariucci in an AP interview. "A lot of things went on in that game, and we fought through all of it. This was a gut check and a character check."

Now, the real character check will be if the Lions can respond to beat the Texans at home this Sunday.

Spartans get back on track…

…It wasn't pretty, but Michigan State pulled out a harder than it should have been, 24-7 decision over Central Michigan.

The same CMU team that was rolled up, 41-10 by Indiana a week before.

A win's, a win, and MSU will take them anyway they can.

This week will be the true test for the Spartans, as they take on Notre Dame. This one will tell us one thing for sure.

It will let us know were MSU and Notre Dame both stand. It also presents the hardest game I've ever had to pick.

The Pizza Man to continue spending…

…It only took 12 years for Tigers' owner Mike Ilitch to discover not losing 119 games in a season can be fun.

After a successful off-season of spending, Ilitch said he will be taking the same approaching this off-season, as far as signing free agents.

"Im not going to operate on a budget," said Ilitch in an AP interview. "Im going to operate on whats available and whats best for the team."

Call me a skeptic, but I'll believe the Tigers' aren't operating on a budget when I see it for myself. Too many times, owners in pro sports fill us will empty promises.

Don't get me wrong, if the Tigers do spend money, I'll be the first one giving the Pizza Man credit.

For the first time since Comerica Park opened, attendance this season rose from 1.3 million last season to a projected 1.9 million this season.

And I guarantee, if the team has another successful off-season that figure will be around 2.5 million in 2005.

The world turns its attention to Michigan…

…One of the biggest international sport events will kick off tomorrow at Oakland Hills Country Club with the playing of the biannual Ryder Cup matches.

Like years past, the United States will the favorite over the Europeans, but not by the huge margin, as in the past.

In fact, I see this match as just about equal.

Europe has taken three out of the last four Ryder Cups over American teams which were supposed to be superior in every way.

However, like we have learned with the Team USA Basketball, the best collection of talent doesn't always guarantee a win.

Team play has been the main difference between the Americans and the Europeans during the past four matches.

It seems like the Europeans have wanted it a little more than the Americans.

All of this and the fact that 10 out of the 20 players on each side are rookies should make it all that more exciting.

Experience should be one of the main factors working for the U.S., as it has four players 40 or older in Davis Love III (40), Kenny Perry (44), Fred Funk (47), and Jay Hass (50). Although Funk and Perry are rookies, Hass hasn't played in a Ryder Cup since 1995, I love what they bring to the team.

These are players who fought through a mine field of young, and capable competitors to represent their country. Now that they have the chance, they're going to make the most of it.

The Ryder Cup is flat out one of my favorite sporting events, and I can't wait for it to get started.

Canada wins the World Cup…

…And for hockey fans, that could be the most meaningful game played this year.

The current labor deal between the NHL players and owners expired at 12:01 a.m., this morning and with both side not talking to each other, the owners have locked out the players.

The bad news for hockey fans is, this could cost the NHL its entire season.

The main issue on both sides is the salary structure and the uncontrolled spending some NHL teams partake in. The NHL under its current agreement has no form of a salary cap, and with revenues much lower than other sports the teams, the league in general have suffered.

I can see both sides of this.

On one side, the owners are to blame for shelling out more money than they can afford, but who are the players to not accept it.

However, the players have to realize that if owners are spending more money than they have, it would eventually have an adverse affect on them and the rest of the league.

The end result is a lockout, and by all indications, this could be a very bad one.

Jar of the Week…

…There's always been a fine line between players and fans when it comes to sports.

Every now, and then, that line is crossed. When it is, the result is usually very bad.

Towards the end of an Oakland A's game on Monday, we witnessed one of the worst player-fan melees in history.

Apparently, some A's fans were riding the Texas bullpen pretty hard. You know, stuff about the players weight, their inability to throw the ball over the plate, and their mothers.

All stuff I've heard a thousand times at a ball game.

With just one out to go, Doug Brocail (yes, the one who pitched for the Tigers) had enough, and actually went after some of the fans. He was shown being restrained by a couple of teammates.

If it would have ended right there, that would have been enough, but rookie reliever Frankie Francisco decided to take it to another level.

Francisco hurled a chair into the stands, striking Jennifer Bueno and breaking her nose. On Wednesday, Francisco was arrested, and charged with aggravated assault.

On top of a criminal trial, Francisco is also facing a civil suit, and the Rangers could be held responsible for his actions.

I think both sides were out of line on this one.

To a certain point, fans have the right to yell what they want - as long as it's not obscenity laced. Let's remember, there are a lot of kids who go to games, and they shouldn't have to hear that.

However, the players are mostly to blame here. If it was getting so bad, Brocail and or one of the coaches should have contacted security to resolve the issue.

All Brocail, Francisco, and the rest of the Rangers did was make complete fools of themselves. If only that were the case for Francisco - his troubles have just started.

Now if he could only throw a fastball like he did with that chair, he may have a future in baseball.

Paul P. Adams is a sports writer for the Huron Daily Tribune and can be reached at (989) 269-6464 ext. 112 or padams@hearstnp.com. The Week That Was appears every Monday and Thursday.